Electric switch



Jan. 9, 1945.

T. BIRKENMAIER 2,367,090

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Oct. l5, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 9, 1945. T. BlRKENMAlER 2,367,090

ELECTRIC SWI TCH Filed Oct. 15, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 9, 1945. T. BIRKENMAIER ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed oct. 15, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 4 FIGB en 7 27 M l? /Z 2f 8/ /5/09/0557 Ratented Jan. 9, 1945 ELECTRIC SWITCH Theodore Birkenmaier, St. Louis, Mo., assiznor to W. N. Matthews Corporation, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application October 15, 1942, Serial No. 462,179

6 Claims. I (Cl. 200-126) This invention relates to electric switches, and with regard to certain more specic features, to repeating electric fuse switches.

The invention is an improvement upon the type of construction shown in my United States Patent 2,240,253, dated April 29, 1941.

Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision of/a foolproof repeating fuse switch having a simple, compact, reliable and enclosed structure for providing time-delay action between successive circuit reclosures; and the provision of a switch of the class described which, despite the time-delay features, effects snap-action circuit reclosure through successively operative fuse holders. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations of elements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is i1- lustrated one of various possible embodiments of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the switch shown in closed position and ready for operation;

Fig. 2 is a right-side elevation of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, but reversed in position;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2i

Figs. 5 to 7 are views similar to Fig. 4, showing successive operating positions of the parts involved in Fig. 4; and,

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view of a lower portion of Fig. 1 illustrating opening action of the lower end of the fuse holder, the same being viewed on line 8-3 of Fig. 2.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1, there is shown at, numeral I an arm for holding a vertical insulator 3. At the upper end of this insulator is held a laterally extending bracket 5, thev same being held in place by a screw clamp 1. This bracket 5 has suitable openings 9 for receiving,lr (in Whichever opening desired) a line wire connector Il.

Pivoted to the bracket 5 at points I3 is a mul--l tiple-contact arm l5. This arm l5 is :made up rigidly with struts I1 carrying at their ends contact hoods I9, 22H and 23. Each hood has skirts 2, and wings 4 serving as weather guards. Each also has a cam surface 11 leading into a socket 19.

The hoods I9, 2| and 23, along with the struts I1 pivot as a unit upon said bearings I3 and, in order to assure electrical transmission between the bracket 5 and the arm I5, braided copper wire 25 connects the two. This wire allows for free relative movement between the members 5 and I5.

A tension spring 21 reacts between an eye 29 carried on the arm I5 and an eye 3I carried on the bracket 5. The line C-L of axial tension of this spring 21 passes beneath the pivot I3, thereby tending to bias the arm I5 downward. The maximum downward position that may be assumed by the arm I5 is determined by lugs 33 on the arm I5 cooperating with adjustable stops 35 on the bracket 5.

On the lower end of the insulator 3 is a bracket 31 held in place by means of a saddle piece 38 and screws 39. This bracket also carries openings such as 9, one ofwhich receives a line wire connector II. The bracket 31 carries three pairs of arms enumerated respectively as 4I, 43 and 45, arranged in descending order by pairs as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2. Each pair has supporting slots 41 for gudgeons 49 of fuse holder assemblies indicated at A, B and C, respectively.

Each fuse holder assembly A, B and C is constituted by an insulating fuse tube 5I carrying an upper conducting head 53 into which is screwed a round-nose conducting cap 55. Each cap 55 may be removed from its head 53, for the purpose of inserting a fuse link 51 through the fuse tube 5I and thereafter screwing down the head 55 to hold the upper end of said link. The link passes through the fuse tube and out of its lower end. At the lower end of'each fuse tube 5I is a clamp 59 carrying an extension eye 6I. Pivoted at 63 to the clamp 59 is an arm 65 of bell-crank shape carrying the respective pair of gudgeons 49 for the fuse holder assembly under consideration. This bell-crank arm 65 has a normal position such as shown in Fig. 1, the unbroken fuse link 51 holding it in such position. The fuse link maintains the stated position because of its attachment to the arm 65 at a screw terminal 61 and its attachment at 55.

In order to hold a fuse holder assembly upright at positions B or C in Figs. 1 and 2, each eye 6I is provided with a. lateral finger 69. In the cases where a fuse .link assembly (all the assemblies are alike) is inserted in the brackets 43 or 45 (positions B or C), the fingers 69 serve supporting purposes in connection with hooks 1I pvoted at 13. Each hook 1| is biased downward by a spring 15. Hence when fuse holder assemblies are positioned with their gudgeons 49 in the slots 41 at positions B or C, the levers 65 at this time being held against the lower ends of the tubes 5l by the links 51, and rotated outward, the hooks I 1I will catch the fingers 69 and support these two fuse holder assemblies in the B and C positions shown in Fig. 2.

Each arm 1l is prevented from descending too far after release by means of contact between a. stop on the arm and the upper surface of the respective adjacent support 43 or 45 the case may be.

The fuse holder assembly that is placed in trie A position (Fig. 2) also carries a ringer E9 but only io the purpose of interciialigcability and 'uniform When a fuse holder assembly .is placed in position A the nnger t9 is of no use otherwise. because when the inse holder is roi' d upward in position A its contact head 55 en nigcs the sloping cam ll oi the socket I9 and cams the` arms l5 upward. the connortion 55 moves into the socket '15, where i1; ,n the Abias the sp. 2l casina the ari'n i5 downward acts to hom the bly in position A. The .fuse hol assemblies positions B and C are spaced at increasing tanccs from the sockets in members 2i and 23 by reason of their descending order ci support.

In order to delay circuit reclosing actions through the fuse holders at positions B and il?. a time-de1ay mechanism M is This mech anism comprises a gear bor; 9| rigidly fastened to the bracket 5 by means of a bolt 83.

The box is provided with a cover B5. Within is a main shaft 81 which also reaches exterior-ly. Here the shaft 91 is provided with a keyed arm 99 having at its end an arcuate slot 9i for angularly adjustable connection at 93 with an. arm 99. The end of the arm 95 is Divotecl at 91 to an oft set connecting link 99 which in turn is pivoted at |0| to one side of the contact arm I Thus downward rotation of the arm I5, through the linkage 99, 95, and 09, tends 'to rotate the shaft 81. The purpose of the rotary clamping adjustment at the slot 93 is to obtain angular phase adjustment between the arm i5 and the shaft B1.

Referring to the interior of the bor; 8l, the shaft 81l has keyed to it a bifurca'ted arm |03 having a pivot pin |05 for a pair ci pavvls |01 and |09, both of which, by means c'- spring H3, are normally biased toward engagement with a ratchet wheel I I I. The ratchet wheel i I I is on a cornmon shaft ||5 with a gear |11 that meshes with a pinion |I9. Pinion ||9 forms a rigid cluster (on. a countershaft with a gear |2| which meshes with a pinion |23 on a shaft |25, the latter also carrying an escaperncnt wheel |21. The teeth |29 of the cscapement wheel successively contact pallets I3I struck up from an oscillatmg escapement anchor wheel |33. i'hus on the ratchet III is transmiy gearing |I1, IIB, |2|, |23 tothe' stituted by the members It'i, iii an 3c. escapement provides a. time-delay action. The successive oscillating actions of the Wheel i533 in effecting escapement are indicated in Figs. i, to '1.

The pawl |01 has a. catch for the ratchet wheel I l l' which is lower than (or ahead of) the catch of the pawl |09. Therefore, when the arm i5 is up. as indicated in Fig. 4 ithe position which it assumes when resting upon the fuse holder assexnassoc/,coo

bly A) the catch of pawl |01 is engaged with the ratchet While the catch of the pawl |09 is not, the latter being spaced some distance from the ratchet. .i

Upon blowing of the .fuse in the fuse holder assembly at A and dropping-out of this assembly, the bias ofthe arm i5 is brought to bear (through the mechanism 99, 95, 89, 9 1, |03) to pull down the pawl |01 which at this time is in engagement with the ratchet wheel I I The result is that the escapement mechanism outlined is driven. The cscapement mechanism provides time-delay while permitting movement until the next succeeding socket 19 of member 2| approaches the fuse link assembly positioned at B. However, before contact made between 2| and the upper end of this inse link assembly at B, the catch of the pawl |01 :arranged to slip from engagement with the ratchet III (Fig. 5) so as to bring about a sudden contact between the member 2| and the top oi this second fuse link assembly. This tends to avoid arcing contact. At the same time the catch of the pawl |09 comes near to initial engagement with the :ratchet lII, as indicated in Fig. 5.

it, when, inse linlf; in the ruse holder asbiotic, and that fuse holder falls away, ...lravflng its support from the arm, I5, almost immediate engagement between the pawl lllg and the li icouoles "up the gea-r train i'or time-delay action as indicated between Figs. 5 and This again under downward bias of arm l5. 'Iihe time-delay action now proceeds until socio` in member 2t approaches the head, oi tilt-i third fuse holder assembly in position C. Before contact is made, the catch of pawl H19 slips from the ratchet l i i to permit final quick: reclosinc.' action of the circuit. The position of parte with the circuit closed through the i'use holder assembly at C is shown in Fig. 6.

Finally. when the fuse link in the fuse holder assembly at Si blows, the corresponding fuse holder mselnbiy drops out, and since neither pawl |01 nor |09 is engaging the ratchet wheel III, the alim iE moves down uch 'lugs 33 engage the stops 35, This ends its travel.

It is to he noted *im* when the upper pvoted Contact ar. swings down into contact with B and C positions, the soc pc ne cavities 19 in the members ti and 23 tend to cam the fuse holders backward from the positions shown in Fig. l, so that the respectivepins 69 are drawn away from the associated notched portions of the hook 1|. This is because the sockets or cavities 19 have a larger radius than the respective heads 55 which cooperate therewith, as indicated in Fig. i. The socket in each hoo-:l 2| and 23 is positioned to strike its respective head 53 with the front slope of the cavity. In other words7 the cavities in 2| and 23 are not positioned for initially centrally striking the heads 53. lin the case of the first tube A. under hood I9 such positioning is not ary and in. this case the cavity may be een over the head 53. since there is no catch .z 69 ci tube A. Thus the front slope or each cavity in hoods 2i and t3 acts as a cani to drive the respective head 55 backward into the center or rea bortion of the cocliet, whereby the latch relcasi "ect on the respective pings 69 on tubes alla l.. obtained. The action, being; like a blow, is very effective for the latch releasing purpose. l c members 2i and 21| are stepped forward as indicated in. Fig. i to permit proper coactioi?A witlfi the heads 53 oi the forwardly stepped tubes B and C. Thus, Just prior to the falling out ol' the fuse holder from either the B or C position, the respective pin 69 is pushed back to be free of holding action by the respective hook 1|. Hence the clearing position of the pin 69 shown in Fig. 8 is easily reached, without interference. This improves the reliability of the release.

Among the advantages of the invention is the fact that the time-delay mechanism is up above the arm I6 and out of the way, the same being compactly enclosed and arranged, controlling all o1' the fuse holder assemblies. The location of the time-delay apparatus leaves the region between the upper arm l and the lower arms 4|, 43 and 45 entirely free for application and closing in manipulation of the fuse holders, just as is the case in a fuse holder in a non-repeating switch.

Another advantage is that in a very compact mechanism both a time-delay eiTect is obtained and also a quick action contact for a succeeding reclosure after a given time-delay.

The device is reliable, foolproof, and reclosure is simple, being simply rotary re-application of loaded fuse holders to arms 4|, 43 and 45.

In addition, the operator may fuse and organize the device with any one or more of the fuse holders. For example, he may rely for time-delay action upon any pair of fuse holders, such as a pair at A and B or a pair at B and C. If greater time-delay is required for operating only a pairof fuse holders he may use the device with fuse holders at A and C only. Under the latter conditions the time-delay between release of fuse holder A and insertion of fuse holder C into the line is the sum of the ordinary time-delays between operations required between A and B plus B and C. 'I'his is because, when latch lOl-releases and there is no fuse holder at B, the latch |09 hooks into the ratchet and delays further motion of the arm I5 in its iinal travel into contact with the fuse holder at C (assuming the fuse holder at B to be missing).

Another feature is that the operation of the time-delay mechanism is not deleteriously affected by the position of the device as a whole. For example, although it is shown vertical in the drawings, various degrees of tilt will not aiect It will be understood that manipulation of the fuse holders is accomplished generally by use of the ball-end of a linemans stick in the eyes 6|, which are presented forwardly when the holders fall into depending positions. Fig. 8 shows an intermediate position in a falling operation, just before an eye 6| rotates to the said forward position.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A repeating switch comprising a support, spaced conducting means on the support, one of said conducting means constituting a series of pivot means, collapsible switch means respectively pivoted in descending order in said pivot means and collapsible in response to electrical overload conditions applied thereto, the other conducting means being pivoted, means biasing said pivoted conducting means toward successive engagements with said switch means and normally contacting the highest of the same, time-delay means comprising a single escapement means, a single ratchet means driving said escapement, latches for the ratchet means, a linkage connecting said pivoted conductor and the latches, said latches being arranged to catch and release from the ratchet means successively.

2. A repeating fuse switch comprising a support, spaced conducting means on the support, one of said conducting means constituting a series of pivot means, substantially identical collapsible fuse switch means respectively pivoted in descending order in said pivot means and collapsible in response to overload current applied to the fuses, the other conducting means being pivoted, means biasing said pivoted conducting means toward successive engagement with said switch means and normally contacting the highest of the same, time-delay means comprising a single escapement means, a single train of gears driving the escapement means, a single ratchet means driving said train of gears, latches for the ratchet means, a linkage connecting said pivoted conductor and the latches, said latches being arranged to catch and release from the ratchet means successively.

3. A repeating switch comprising a support, spaced conducting means on the support, one of said conducting means constituting a series of pivot means, collapsible switch means respectively pivoted in descending order in said pivot means and collapsible in response to electrical overload conditions applied thereto, the other conducting means being pivoted, means biasing said pivoted conducting means toward successive engagements with said switch means when uncollapsed and normally contacting the highest of the same, timedelay means comprising a single escapement means, a single train of gears driving the escapement means, a single ratchet means driving said train of gears, latches driving the ratchet means,

. a linkage connecting said pivoted conductor and the latches, said latches being arranged to catch and release from the ratchet means'successively, the catching period oi.' a given latch being arranged for controlled biased movement of the pivoted conductor from the time that one switch member collapses and disconnects from the pivoted conductor until the pivoted conductor approaches the next non-collapsed fuse holder.

4. A repeating fuse switch comprising a support, spaced conducting means on the support, one of said conducting means constituting a series of pivot means, substantially identical collapsible fuse switch means respectively pivoted in descending order in said pivot means and collapsible in response to electrical overload applied to the fuses therein, the other conducting means being pivoted, means biasing said pivoted conducting means t0- Ward successive engagements with said fuse switch means and normally contacting the highest of the same, time-delay means comprising a single escapement means, a single train of gears driving the escapement means, a single ratchet; means driving said train of gears, latches driving the ratchet means, a linkage connecting said pivoted conductor and the latches, said latches being arranged to catch and release from the ratchet means successively, the catching period of a given latch being arranged for control of the pivoted conductorfrom the time that one fuse switch member collapses from the pivoted conductor 4 aneignen but beuse holder, a support, mrt, one of a series of until the pivoted conductor ai fore it contacts the next nonnel m 5. A repeating switch co spaced conducting means said conducting means constituti pivot means, a plurality ci? c: lile switch means respectively pivoted in r Ming order in said pivot means and individually oliapsibie in response to electrical overload col ions applied thereto, the other conducting me? means biasing said pivoted con in ward successive engagements means and normally Contactin the same, time-delay means c escapement means, a single train. the escapement means, a driving said train of gears, ratchet means, a linkage conductor and the latches, ranged to catch and rele:` means successively, the can; latch being arranged for co conductor from the time leaves the pivoted conductor the pivoted conductor approae member, the latcliine' however ratchet means before contacta is with said second switch member, whereby' said pivoted cone duc-,tor may approach `the second switch member untrammeied by the timeW-del y mechanism une. under pure bias on said pivoted comino 'ne means.

6. A repeating inse switch, comp.. sin@ a means to i. said switch ne nearest of ig a single f gears driving tchat means ing the pivoteti seing ar the ratenet ad of a given the nivoied lati tlie neat ng pivoted,

port, spaced conducting means. on the support, one of said conducting means constituting a series of pivot means, collapsible fuse holders respectively pivoted in descending order in said pivot means and collapsible in response to electrical overload conditions applied thereto, the other con. ducting means being pivoted, means biasing said pvoted conducting means toward successive engagements with said fuse holders and normally only contacting the nearest of the same, tinie-de lay means comprising a single escapement means, a single train of gears driving the escapement means, a single ratchet means driving said train of gears, latches driving the ratchet means, a linkage connecting said pivoted conductor and the latches, said latches being arranged to catch and release from the ratchet means successively, the catching period of a given. latch being arranged for control of the lpivoted conductor from the time that one fuse holder leaves the pivoted conductor by collapsing until the nivo-ted conductor ai preaches the next non-collegiaal inse holder, n however releasing from the means preach the second inse no er nntri in time-delay action and under between said pivoted conducto 'I'IHEODRE BlRFILiSMMAIER. 

